Collaboration

//Education is all a matter of building bridges//. Ralph Ellison

Horizontal collaboration: (working with teachers in the same course)
All Algebra II teachers can work together to design a unit of study and create an assessment for all to use.

Vertical collaboration: (working with teachers in the same subject, but other grade levels)
English teachers can work together to discuss what pieces of literature will be read in each class and what types of written assignments are appropriate for each level. Have conversations with one another centering around the idea "If the students who come into my class only knew one thing from your class it needs to be ..." in order to identify the key skills you expect the students you get to possess.

Leverage: (working with teachers throughout the building)
Cooperation and collaboration between the math and science departments, allowing a student to get credit in both the pre-Cal and Chemistry for a project which utilizes skills and objectives covered in both courses, for example a science fair project. English 10/11 and History 10/11 students enter a contest on "What is a Good Citizen?" writing an essay or creating a video project that showcases their writing ability and knowledge of early American primary source documents. P.E. and English - writing about the experience of running laps or doing reps Health and Art - creating a visual display that brings the salient points of hygiene into focus

Ideas from EDUTOPIA.ORG
 With budget cuts being what they are these days, less and less professional development opportunities are happening for teachers during the workday. So it's even more important to get proactive and create time to collaborate or just connect with your colleagues.

 Here are some suggestions:


 * 1)  Arrange to eat lunch with a few colleagues at least twice a week. If you are inviting kids to your room, or sitting alone in your classroom with your thoughts and turkey sandwich, fine, but just not everyday.
 * 2)  Create a time once a week or every other week where you merge your class with another teacher's. Meet outside, in the cafeteria, or library to read together, do writer's workshop, or practice speech debate.
 * 3)  If a secondary teacher, co-teach once in awhile during your conference time. The other teacher can do the same, lending you a helping hand. Follow the visit with a reflective conversation sharing how you think the lesson went.
 * 4)  Create a walking club with a group of teachers and office staff. Walk the block or campus during lunch or recess.
 * 5)  How about a lunch time book club?
 * 6)  Host a round robin share once a week with a group of colleagues you admire. Sit in a circle and each share for 3 minutes a strategy, activity, or project that really shined that week in your classroom. Leave 10 minutes after the round robin for one on one time to give specifics for those wanting more information.